A police officer has denied causing grievous bodily harm to a member of the public who was bitten by a police dog.

West Midlands Police Constable Paul Birch is accused of the racially aggravated wounding of a man who was with a group of travellers.

The charge against the 50-year-old relates to an incident at the site of the former North Worcestershire Golf Course at Northfield, Birmingham, on September 4 last year.

A spokesman for Birmingham Magistrates' Court said Birch had been granted unconditional bail after pleading not guilty during a hearing on Wednesday.

Magistrates ordered the officer to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on December 18.